How to Cure Discus Fish Diseases

Discus fish are beautiful, vividly colored fish that
are a great addition to an aquarium. Keepers of discus fish are well aware that
their water must be kept clean and at specific parameters for temperature, and
pH levels. In addition to their sensitivity to their habitat, they are also
delicate in nature, making them more susceptible to disease than hardier
species of fish. There are a number of both internal and external discus fish
diseases to be aware of if you are keeping discus fish. I will touch on the
external diseases which are more devastating to all tropical fish keeping.

Fungal and Bacterial Infections

One of the most common discus fish diseases is a
fungal infection. Fungal spores in your aquarium can attach to a break in the
discus fish’s skin; breaks occur from minor injuries and parasites. You will be
able to see the fungus on the skin of your discus, as it appears as a cottony
substance at the break site on the skin. If not treated, the fungal infection
can kill your discus. I find that antibiotics like Triple Sulpha or Tetracycline
works best for these cottony patches of fungus and bacterial infections like
fin rot.

Protozoan Disease also known as Discus Plague

Protozoan parasites are one of the deadliest discus
fish diseases. The wounds caused to the skin by the parasite allow bacteria to
enter. You are now dealing with multiple issues and drastic treatment is
necessary. Symptoms begin with the discus fish rubbing against objects trying
to scrap off the parasite. Once the parasite gets a foothold the discus fish
will start to clamp their fins, turn dark and secrete excess slime tying to
shed off the parasite. Other symptoms include huddling together, jerky swimming
motions and not eating. If caught early treatment can cure the fish in 3 to 4
days, but if left untreated then a longer treatment period is needed to reach a
cure or death of the discus fish, sometime 10 to 15 days, so it’s important to
catch and treat early. Treatments which will cure this are Quick-Cure,
Acriflavine and Clout for the parasites and Triple Sulpha and tetracycline for
the bacterial infection. You can use any one of the anti- parasitics with any
one of the anti-bacterial medications. Treat every day with 30% water changes
until cured. Parasites which cause this disease include Oodinium, Chilodenella,
Costia and Ich.

White Spot Disease

Another of the most deadly discus fish diseases is
white spot disease. This disease is caused by a protozoan, and it causes red
open body ulcers on the side of the fish. Other symptoms include loss of
appetite, weakness, a decrease in activity, and swollen gills. White spot
disease spreads very quickly through an aquarium, and it is fatal if not immediately
treated. I have fond the best treatment for this is a 20 minute 1/8 Teaspoon to
4 gallons water Potassium Permanganate dip followed up with Acriflavine and
tetracycline in the tank after the dip.

Importantnote;

When
medicating, lowing the PH will increase the potency of all medication which is
helpful to cure the discus fish quickly.